A most interesting map of the United States which was published in a French edition of Isaac Weld's work describing his travels through North America between 1795 and 1797. The geographic information presented is quite interesting, including rivers, towns, some orography, Indian settlements, roads and other information of note. Also shown is Weld's
e. The region depicted extends from New Hampshire (and a small part of Maine) in the north to Georgia--the latter appearing in an inset with South Carolina. The trans-Appalachian region is shown to somewhat beyond the western end of Lake Erie, and includes Kentucky as far as Lexington and the "Western Territory" of present-day Ohio. This is a nice map from the early days of the United States. $450

An excellent map of the United States from Carey's American Pocket Atlas of 1801. Unlike many other cartographers of the day, Carey updated his maps in every edition of his atlases, which made his maps as up-to-date as any issued at the time. The maps from the Pocket Atlas are good examples. This map shows what was then Georgia, stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi, including most of present-day Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. The short lived Mississippi Territory is depicted wedged between Georgia and western Florida. In the Northwest Territory the "Grand Portage" and Bellin's mythical islands are shown at Lake Superior. Information is excellent, showing towns, rivers, and some physical characteristics with a number of names added since the 1796 edition. For instance, in New England, Maine and Vermont are added, with the Canadian border left uncertain. Overall this is an excellent American map based on Abraham Bradley's important compilation. $525

Detailed maps of regions of the United States issued just at the beginning of the nineteenth century. These maps were made to accompany Crevecoeur's work on his travels through the United States. Of particular note are the many roads cris-crossing the region, presenting an important aspect of economic, military, and social life of the period. Wonderful maps from the nascent days of the United States.

Güssefeld was a German cartographer who had issued a fine, early map of the United States for the Homann Heirs firm in 1784. In the next two decades many changes took place and much interest remained about America in Germany, so he produced this new map for the Geographic Institute in Weimar. The eastern states are shown with considerable accuracy and quite a bit of detail concerning rivers and major settlements, both coastal and inland. The information west of the Appalachians is more spotty, for though Kentucky is shown, Tennessee is not. Georgia is correctly shown in close to its present-day shape, but the Mississippi Territory, which was created in 1804, is not named and includes Tennessee. The Northwest Territory is shown in its original form, even though Ohio had been broken off in 1803. One of the most interesting aspects of this map is the indication, just east of Kentucky, of a non-existent region called of "Franklin." This reflects the one-time 'state' of Franklin, even though it is misplaced too far north, for Franklin was actually in what is today eastern Tennessee. Franklin was formed out of western North Carolina in 1784, with John Sevier appointed as Governor. However, the state was never recognized by Congress and when Sevier's four year term ended (he was later to become the first Governor of Tennessee), the region was again annexed by North Carolina to disappear from history except for in books and on about 20 maps, of which this is one. This demonstrates that despite the interest in America, it was hard for European cartographers to keep their maps up-to-date. This map is a good attempt and it does contain lots of interesting information, very attractively presented. $1,850

Volney first issued his ambitious View of the Soil and Climate of the United States of America in France in 1803. His reach far exceeded his grasp, as was the case with most early geographers, and scholars have been poking holes in his statements ever since. That his first edition was followed by printings in London and Philadelphia in the following year indicates active concern for the subject matter, and this map from the London edition was printed one month after the completion of the Louisiana Purchase.

The emphasis of the map was to show the rivers, which at that time were the chief means of transportation between the very few towns and cities indicated. It shows Volney's route: Boston and Newport through New England, Upstate New York, through the Great Lakes of Ontario and Erie, south through the Maumi and Miami Rivers, then into Kentucky and west through present-day southern Indiana and Illinois which took him as far west as Vincennes on the Wabash River. The map also traces his route to the east coast via the Ohio River, to Cumberland Gap and the Great Valley of Virginia to Frederick, Maryland, the City of Washington, to Richmond, then along the coast and to New York City. Sparsely noted are natural features of soil types and the greater Indian tribes that inhabited the areas east of the Mississippi. As such, the map shows the developing new United States. $525

L. Hebert. "United States of America Northern Part." From John Pinkerton's Modern Atlas. London: Cadell & Davies, 1810. 20 x 28. Engraving by Neele. Full original hand color. Full margins. Light blemishes in the western Atlantic region, and separation at centerfold, bottom, expertly repaired. Else, very good condition.

A fascinating map of the north-eastern United States, with much detail and an interesting political configuration. The states of New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania appear much as they do today, but the northernmost section, the "District of Main," is depicted in an unusual vague manner, with no clear boundaries between it and the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, and the territories of Ohio and Michigan in the west blend seamlessly. Besides the political boundaries, the internal detail is fascinating. Settlements, rivers, mountains, and ethnological information is given throughout. Overall, this is a very nice map of the American north-east. $475

A pair of interesting maps of parts of the United States, issued in Dr. R. Brookes' Gazetteer of the world from 1812.

"The Eastern States with Part of Canada." A few slight spots. Trimmed to top neatline. Otherwise, very good condition. The states shown are: most of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Masachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine as it appeared as a "district." Besides political boundaries the map shows major mountain ranges and waterways. $225

"The Middle States and Western Territories of the United States including the Seat of the Western War." A few slight spots. Trimmed close to top neatline and up to right neatlines. Otherwise, very good condition. While this map shows all of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, the major focus is on Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The latter were the frontier states of the time. Michigan and Wisconsin were still territories, and the boundaries among these political entities were in flux. For instance, Chicago was not yet included within the boundaries of Illinois. The position of New Madrid would soon change because the year of this printing was also the year of the great earthquake. Besides political boundaries the map shows major mountain ranges and waterways. $425

Fielding Lucas, Jr. From A New and Elegant General Atlas Containing Maps of each of the United States. Baltimore: F. Lucas, Jr., 1816. Folio. Engravings. Full original hand color. Large margins. Fine condition.

A fine map by Baltimore cartographer, Fielding Lucas, Jr. (1781-1854). Lucas appears to have become involved in the publishing and book trade while a resident of Philadelphia from 1798 to 1804, when he moved to Baltimore. In 1807 Lucas joined Conrad, Lucas & Co., and then in 1810 he set up his own business at 138 Market Street. There Lucas first got involved in cartographic publishing with his New and Elegant General Atlas of 1816. In the second decade of the nineteenth century, through his Philadelphia contacts, Lucas was one of the major contributors to Carey & Lea's atlas of 1823. Concurrently with this involvement, Lucas brought out his own General Atlas, containing 104 maps of all parts of the world. Lucas, during his 50 years of residence in Baltimore, established himself as a prominent citizen of that city, serving as President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, President of the Board of School Commissioners, and as President of the Second Branch of the City Council. But it is for his important role in early American cartography that Lucas is best remembered.

John Thomson. From A New General Atlas. Edinburgh: J. Thomson, 1817. 19 1/2 x 23 1/4. Engraving by Hewitt. Full original hand color. Full margins. Very good condition.

In the early nineteenth century, the British cartographic publishers were producing the finest maps in the world. John Thomson, working in Edinburgh, was one of the leading British cartographers and his maps are good evidence of the quality of work issued in Great Britain at the time. This striking map of the southeastern U.S. is an particularly good example of his work. It was issued at an interesting period in the history of the American southeast. The state of Georgia is of particular note, for its borders are shown as they were in 1798 just before the Mississippi Territory was established, extending from the Atlantic to the Mississippi. It is not unusual for a British map maker to be late in reflecting internal American information on his maps, but the nearly twenty year lapse here makes one wonder whether Thomson was in fact a Georgian chauvinist. While somewhat anachronistic, the information of settlements, rivers, mountains, and ethnological details is fascinating. Overall, a fine map of the American southeast.

"Northern Provinces of the United States." Inset view of "The Great Falls of Niagara." $1,200

"Southern Provinces of the United States." Inset view of "Characteristic Scenery of the Hudson River." $1,200

John Cary. "A New Map of the United States of America from the Latest Authorities." Separately issued map: dissected into twelve sections and mounted on linen. London: J. Cary, 1819. 17 3/4 x 19 3/4. Engraving. Original hand color. Some spots and wear along folds. Otherwise, good condition.

An interesting map of the United States by John Cary. Historically cartographic dominance has followed economic and military dominance, and the period at the beginning of the nineteenth century saw Great Britain dominant in all three areas. The British maps of this period were of excellent quality, with crisp engraving and lovely hand coloring. Topographic information tended to be quite current and well presented. Of the British cartographers at this time, John Cary was amongst the most respected. This map is good evidence of the quality of his work. The map depicts from the British dominions in the north to the Spanish lands in the south and west. Details are given of rivers, towns, roads, and mountains. Of particular note is the diminished Northwest Territory, extending from the new Illinois Territory and Michigan Territory and towards the northwest encompassing present-day Wisconsin and part of Minnesota.

While appearing to be like maps in his New Universal Atlas, this map may have never been included in an atlas. In it, Cary added new information in the southern parts. Previous editions of Cary's "United States" showed Georgia extending to the Mississippi, but on this map the new states of Alabama and Mississippi are defined with much information. While Cary thus shows essentially correct outlines for these states and Florida, the old labels of "West Florida" and "East Florida," remnants of the old Spanish period of control (until 1822) of course remain. The vast lands west of the Mississippi River, with headwaters at White Bear Lake, are shown almost empty and designated "Missouri Territory." The state of that name would not be admitted to the Union until 1821, after the "Missouri Compromise."

Many of Cary's maps provide a view of the state of mapmaking of the times, especially for the United States which was growing in leaps and bounds. $1,400

John Melish. "United States of America." From Carey & Lea's A Complete Historical, Chronological, and Geographical American Atlas. Philadelphia: H.C. Carey & I. Lea, 1822. 17 x 21. Engraving by Benjamin Tanner. Full, original hand coloring. Some trimming to right margin and chipping in top right corner; expertly conserved and filled. Otherwise, very good condition.

In 1822, Henry Charles Carey and Isaac Lea published their A Complete Historical, Chronological, and Geographical American Atlas. This volume was based on Emmanuel Las Cases' Atlas Historique of 1803, with updated maps and text modified by Carey, a political economist. He considered himself an American foil to John Stuart Mill and the London economists who were proclaimers of "the gloomy science" influenced by Ricardo and Malthus. Instead of preaching overpopulation and degeneration of the human species, Carey illustrated the nations of the western hemisphere through maps that showed an expanding region with ample promise of developing into lands of great new opportunity and growth. The sheets from this atlas, which cover North America, Central America, South America and the West Indies, are comprised of an engraved map surrounded by text documenting the history, climate, population and so forth of the area depicted. The atlas is particularly known for its excellent early maps of the states and territories of the United States. This map of the United States and its territories as a whole served as the initial and index map, depicting the nation extending from the Atlantic seaboard to the Rocky Mountains. It is a later edition of the map issued in the Lavoisne atlas of 1821. $1,400

Benjamin Tanner. "United States of America." Philadelphia, 1822. Only credit reads "Engraved by B. Tanner." And "No. 5." Engraving (hand colored). 17 x 21 in. Originally served as frontispiece map for H.C. Carey & Isaac Lea's A Historical, Chronological and Geographical American Atlas (Philadelphia, 1822). Ref.: P. Lee Phillipps' List of Maps of America (Library of Congress, 1901): p.882. Complete and with lovely time toning. Some repairs to the back.

This wonderful map of the entire United States at the time was taken from information gathered by Lewis and Clark, Zebulon Pike, and Stephen Harriman Long, as credited on this map. A huge Missouri Territory spans most of the American West with only two states, Missouri and the Arkansas Territory established west of the Mississippi River. Most of the Southwest is part of Mexico. Great Rivers such as the Missouri and the Platte span the American West. The eastern part of the map shows a wealth of information about rivers and roads. $1,200

Anthony Finley. "United States." From A New General Atlas. Philadelphia: A. Finley, 1824. Small folio. Engravings by Young & Delleker. Original full hand coloring. Excellent condition.

In the 1820s, Anthony Finley produced a series of fine atlases in the then leading American cartographic center, Philadelphia. Finley's work is a good example of the quality that American publishers were beginning to obtain. This map is elegantly presented, with crisp and clear engraving and very attractive pastel hand shading. Topographical and political information is copious, including counties, towns, rivers, roads and so on. Finley was very concerned to depict the most up-to-date information possible, and thus his maps present an accurate picture of the world in the early decades of the nineteenth century. One of an excellent series of maps from the nascent American cartographic world. $225

A handsome map by British cartographer Sidney Hall, issued in London in 1828. Though other countries, including the United States, had by then developed cartographic industries of considerable quality, British map publishers were still the best in the world. This map is typical of their output, with clear and precise engraving depicting copious up-to-date information. Towns, rivers, roads, political boundaries and topography are shown from throughout the U.S. An inset in the lower left ("Continuation of the Western Territory on a reduced scale") shows the Northwest corner (including a surprising pro-U.S. border vis-a-vis British North America) as based upon Lewis & Clark's information. West of the Mississippi, the U.S. is divided into Louisiana, "Arkansa," Missouri, and the Missouri Territory. State and territory borders are indicated with bright outline color, making the whole an attractive and fascinating historical document. $950

Stieler's Hand-Atlas was one of the finest world atlases of the 19th century. Known for its maps with clear and precise topographical detail, this atlas continued to include engraved maps to the end of the century. The maps were regularly updated and this shows the impressive amount of information. All of Stieler's maps show lakes, rivers, mountains, towns and cities of all sizes, and roads all clearly presented. A most impressive map. $375

An excellent map of the United States by David H. Burr, one of the most important American cartographers of the first part of the nineteenth century. Having studied under Simeon DeWitt, Burr produced the second state atlas issued in the United States, of New York in 1829. He was then appointed to be geographer for the U.S. Post Office and later geographer to the House of Representatives. The states and territories to just beyond the Mississippi, including those in the old Northwest Territory, are shown with good detail or rivers, towns, and mountains. To the west is a single large "Missouri Territory" with its rivers detailed carefully. The tip of Florida appears in an inset. Also of interest is the depiction of the Erie Canal and a canal running south from Cleveland. Burr's maps are scarce and quite desirable. $350

An interesting map of the United States featuring the early development of the canal and rail system. The map extends from the southern half of New Hampshire to the mouth of the Mississippi River, with information on the states, territories, rivers and major towns there within. On the map Bradford has indicated canals and railroads "Chartered," "Making" and "Finished," though he notes that the railroad from Plattsburg to Ogdensburg is omitted. Thus this map provides a snapshot of these two important modes of transportation at a very early state in the development of the national network. $150

S.A. Mitchell. "Map of the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois with the settled parts of Michigan." Includes southern part of Wisconsin plus four insets. Philadelphia, 1836. Copyright 1834. 17 1/2 x 22 (sheet). Engraving by J. H. Young (hand colored). Full decorated margins. Folding map on bank note paper. One expertly repaired hole at the intersection of two folds, near Peoria, IL.

A dramatic map illustrating the growth of the American Midwest as development was burgeoning. Detailed insets include vicinities of Detroit, Cincinnati, Louisville ["Falls of Ohio"], and "Lead Region East of the Mississippi River." The map accounts for roads, railroads and steamboat routes. Here is a product of the best mapmakers of their times in America. A very beautiful and important cartographic achievement as the United States developed in the 1830s at an astonishing rate. $850

Thomas G. Bradford. "United States." From A Comprehensive Atlas. Geographical, Historical & Commercial. Boston: American Stationer's Company, 1835. 7 5/8 x 10. Engraving. Original outline color. Some light spotting. Overall, very good condition.
A precisely engraved map of the United States by Thomas G. Bradford, a Boston map publisher, showing the nation early in the fourth decade of the nineteenth century. This map is very up-to-date in showing the political and topographical situation with great accuracy. Detail is very good, showing rivers, lakes, states, territories, and major towns. In the west, four large territories are shown, independent Texas is named, Indian tribes are located, and the "Great American Desert" is indicated running from the border with "British America" to Texas. A good American map of the nation in its period of western expansion. $145

In 1844 Carey & Hart reissued the Tanner Universal Atlas with maps somewhat updated. In the map of the United States, the publishers emphasized the canals and railroads, highlighting them with hand color. $375

A wonderful map of the United States, issued folded into Phelps & Ensign's Travellers Guide Through the United States. In 1838, Phelps & Ensign began to issue a series of "Traveller's Guides" which appeared both as folding maps and as wall maps. Within the decorative map border, a detailed depiction shows the United States to the first tier of states west of the Mississippi River. This is accompanied by sixteen small inset maps of the vicinities of important cities and small regions of the country. The map proper gives much information on the cities and towns of the U.S., as well as roads between them, with distances indicated. The map has a particular focus on the transportation nexus in the United States. As it states in the title, the map "containing the roads, distances, steam boat and canal routes &c." Along each road are indicated the distances between the cities, which would be useful information for the travelers for whom this map was intended. Such separately issued, folding maps are rare and of considerable historic interest. This is a fine example. $2,200

J.H. Young. "A New Map Of The United States of America." Philadelphia: Thomas, Cowperthwait, & Co, 1853. 15 3/8 x 26. Lithographic transfer from engraved plate. Original hand color. "By J.H. Young. 1853." Full original color. With two insets: "District of Columbia" and "Gold Regions of California." Folded into an immaculate leather case with gold stamped cover reading "Mitchell's Map of the United States. Excellent condition.

A strong and detailed map of the entire United States from the mid-nineteenth century, published by the Cowperthwait firm of Philadelphia. Towns, rivers, orography and other surprising details are shown throughout. The Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co. maps are especially known for their depiction of the transportation routes, and this map is no exception. Roads and railroads are shown in the eastern part of the country, while west of the Mississippi are drawn the major trails such as those going to Oregon and Santa Fe. States and territories are named and highlighted in contrasting pastel shades, with this information being of particular interest in the trans-Mississippi region, which is shown in the configuration as determined by the Compromise of 1850. California is depicted as a state and large Utah and New Mexico territories are shown below the equally large Oregon Territory. The lands north of Texas are depicted as composed of two large territories, Indian and "Missouri or North West Territory." To the east of the latter is the Minnesota Territory composed of today's Minnesota and the Dakotas. Also of considerable interest is the large inset in the lower left corner of the "Gold Region of California," giving even more detail of the region involved in the great gold rush of 1849. Overall this is a fascinating map from an important time in the western development of the United States. $800

Ira S. Drake. "Mitchell's New Travellers Guide Through The United States. Showing Railroads, Canals, Stage Roads &c." Philadelphia: Charles Desilver, 1855. 21 3/4 x 28 1/2. Separately issued, folding map. Engraving. Original outline hand color. Few separations at folds, short tear near attachment to booklet. Overall, very good condition. Sold with original booklet with 124 pages on travel through the U.S. and a listing of publications by Mitchell.

A wonderful separately issued map of the United States issued by important Philadelphia publisher S. Augustus Mitchell and some contemporaries. This striking and highly detailed map shows the U.S. extending from the Atlantic to the first tier of states past the Mississippi River. Included are four insets of the route to California around South America, the gold district of California, Map of the New England or Eastern states, and the copper mine regions of Lake Superior.

Separately issued maps such as this were published for the use of wagon drivers, railroad passengers, and steamboat voyageurs in a new and rapidly developing country. The roughed conditions of travel insured much destruction of these little documents which were sold at inns and stations and called "Traveler's Companion" or "Stranger's Guide" or similar. These maps were often updated, sometimes an undetermined number of times within a single year, because demand for the best information was startlingly real. Thus, by their very nature they fulfill the primary role of published cartography. These are maps of great historic significance for the history of the United States, for they were the maps actually used during the nation's great expansion. They were made for lasting wear since the publishers used high grade paper, often bank note paper, and they were folded into leather and buckram covers. They appear to have brighter hand coloring than most other maps issued at the same time, in order to aid in reading under adverse circumstances. Everything about them, the ornamental borders, the fine calligraphy, the depth of engraving or lithography, and even the way they dramatically fold out present one of the best and most important graphic pictures of early America that remains to us.

This particular map was issued S. Augustus Mitchell, the pre-eminent name in American cartography in the 1830s and 40s. The original edition of this map was copyrighted in 1832, but as is typical of such separately issued maps, Mitchell updated his map regularly and this edition is updated to 1855. Like other maps of its type, it focuses on roads and canals which are shown crisscrossing the country, as well as the growing number of railroads. The canals and railroads are indicated with hand drawn lines in blue and red respectively. This information would, of course, have been crucial for the intended market of this map, the many "Travellers" on the move around the country at the time, many of whom were newly arrived immigrants. A highly decorative and historic artifact of America's past. $1,800